Please join us for July's First Friday's Ask IMA tomorrow, June 7th at 1:00pm EST. IMA-NA staff will update members on ongoing legislative and regulatory issues, including percentage depletion, CERCLA 108(b), and the Waters of the US. In addition to updating members on lobbying efforts and issues of concern for the industry, staff will also be discussing the upcoming Fly-in and ongoing planning for North American Minerals Day.

The Industrial Minerals Association - North America (IMA-NA) has welcomed two new members to the team for summer internships. We would like to introduce RJ Alpers and Anselme Subtil to IMA-NA members.

RJ recently graduated summa cum laude from St. John's University (MN) with degrees in political science and Hispanic Studies. Last summer RJ interned in Washington, D.C., for Congressman Tim Walz (MN-1), and enjoyed the experience so much that he decided to move back to the area upon graduation. During his time at IMA-NA, RJ hopes to contribute to the team’s continued success by attending numerous legislative and regulatory meetings with IMA-NA staff, aiding in research, making professional contacts, and by assisting on a variety of other vital tasks.

At St. John’s, RJ played baseball, performed in 2 of the university’s comedy groups, and was a student senator. When he is not working hard at his internships, he loves running and performing standup comedy. Though now a proud member of the District; RJ is originally from Avon, Minnesota, where his parents Bob and Elli have lived for almost 30 years. Moving forward, RJ plans to enjoy his internship, attend law school, and take advantage of every opportunity afforded to him.

Anselme, originally from Sézanne (France), has been attending the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina for three years, and will receive the traditional ring of his, soon to be, Alma Mater in October. After a long experience of boarding schools and rigid discipline, he hopes to enter the sphere of politics in Washington, D.C. Anselme was invited by, Citadel alum, Darrell Smith to participate in 10 weeks of association life to learn, serve, and represent the industrial minerals industry. In just a week, Anselme and RJ have already contributed to the Association by supporting the research necessary for the drafting of IMA-NA’s CERCLA 108(b) comments. Additionally, Anselme has participated in lobbying visits to maintain the percentage depletion allowance in the tax code.

Outside of his internship Anselme is an avid reader of classical literature and philosophy, to better prepare himself for the life of a public servant, to which he aspires. Upon graduation he will return to D.C., and work to begin a career in the association world, or in the legislative branch, while pursuing a Master’s degree.

IMA-NA is pleased to welcome these two spectacular new interns for the summer of 2017. Staff is looking forward to working with RJ and Anselme as they learn about our industry and the public policy process.

As you know, 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of European Minerals Day and the 3rd for North American Minerals Day. Staff for both IMA-Europe and IMA-NA developed the program as a way to spread awareness of the industrial minerals industry through member hosted events. European Minerals Day takes place in September, a month before the target week of October 8th for North American Minerals Day. We are beginning the process of planning events across Europe and North America. Join us on June 13th at 1:00pm EDT for a webinar to learn about the program and how you and your company can get involved.

Last week, IMA-NA and other members of the Minerals Science and Information Coalition (MSIC or Coalition) submitted written testimony to the record about the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's (ENR) hearing: to examine the United States’ increasing dependence on foreign sources of minerals and opportunities to rebuild and improve the supply chain in the United States. The Coalition, made up of minerals and materials interest groups, was established to push for increased investment in minerals science, particularly as it relates to federal funding for the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Minerals Information Center (NMIC) and Minerals Resources Program (MRP). Thus far in the new Congress there have been a House and Senate hearing focused on the importance of a domestic mineral supply chain. MSIC's testimony applauded the Senate ENR Committee for exploring the U.S.'s supply chain, the current pressures on domestic production, growing reliance on imports, and the importance of minerals to every aspect of modern society. The Coalition additionally, offered support for the reintroduction of last sessions American Mineral Security Act, S.883. If the two hearings are any indication the 115th Congress is beginning to express an interest in better understanding the mining industry, which is reminder of the importance in MA-NA members telling their story.

Please join us for April's First Friday's Ask IMA tomorrow, at 1:00pm EST. IMA-NA staff will update members on ongoing lobbying efforts to maintain the percentage depletion allowance in the tax code, as well as reviewing other legislative, regulatory, and executive actions that are of interest to the industry. We'll also discuss the impact of the March Fly-in and give a preview of the rapidly approaching Technology Workshop.

IMA-NA will be convening First Friday's Ask IMA this Friday, February 3rd at 1:00pm EST. Following the Inauguration on January 20th, Donald Trump's Administration is officially underway. IMA-NA staff will take the opportunity this Friday to review the legislative, regulatory, and executive actions that could impact our industry in the coming months. We'll discuss IMA-NA's upcoming actions to represent the interests of the industrial minerals industry and answer any questions participants have on recent happenings in DC.

Tomorrow, December 6th, is National Miners Day. Designated by Congress in 2009, December 6th, is marked as a day of commemoration and appreciation for the more than 350,000 miners whose work allows for our modern lifestyles. As IMA-NA members are aware, the mining industry goes largely unrecognized by the wider public for the enormous contributions to the global economy and community. National Miners Day is a wonderful opportunity in the United States to recognize your workforce and the miners whose hard work underpins so much of our modern world.

IMA-NA and our staff would like to take the opportunity to extend appreciation and gratitude for our Producer Members and their workforce. Furthermore, we would like to encourage IMA-NA members to share that tomorrow is National Miners Day with their employees, post to social media, or simply highlight your contributions to your community throughout the day tomorrow.

This week marks the 2nd Annual North American Minerals Days, a continuation of IMA-NA's partnership with IMA-Europe to broaden awareness of industrial minerals, the industry, and the role our members play in creating and supporting our modern lifestyles. This year, in addition to continuing to partner and support the efforts of Earth Science Week, Kaolin Festival, and the Georgia Marble Festival, IMA-NA members are hosting a variety of events.

Tomorrow, October 12th, KaMin and Imerys will be hosting an all day event highlighting the Kaolin industry and their culture of safety. We'll be welcoming Assistant Secretary of MSHA, Joe Main, to tour a mine and participate in a Safety luncheon with EHS representatives from across the state of Georgia. In addition to Joe Main, Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10) and representatives from the state and local governments will be participating in the activities. The Kaolin event is also being supported by Georgia Mining Association and promises to provide an excellent opportunity for IMA-NA members to interact with their legislators and regulators.

Across the country, in Nevada, Tronox will be hosting Congressman Joe Heck for a tour and discussion. Tronox's event is demonstrative of the type of relationship building opportunities presented during election years. Continuing to tell the story of the positive economic and community impacts of your businesses is especially important at the district and state level, where legislators can interact with your employees and their constituents.

We're pleased by the expansion of the Minerals Days and believe any opportunity to educate individuals, both in government and in our communities, about our industry is productive in continuing to tell the story about the importance of mining in North America.

With summer rapidly approaching an end, we are moving closer to our identified week of North American Minerals Days. In the second year of our initiative, we've identified the week of October 10th as the ideal time to cluster events. As we continue planning events for North American Minerals Days, we will be sharing tools and ideas for member event planning. Taking our cue from the success of European Minerals Day, all associated events will be member driven with different focuses. From open mine days to roundtable discussions with elected officials, these events are geared towards highlighting whatever aspect of your operations you would like to educate the public about.

This afternoon we are sharing information on how to host a successful community event at your habitat. As we work to change the inaccurate public perception that all mining is terrible for the environment, North American Minerals Days is a good opportunity to show off your reclamation projects. Demonstrating the respect and care we, as an industry, have for our environment can go a long way to correcting misconceptions about mining, especially when interacting with younger individuals. Please see the attached presentation from the Wildlife Habitat Council for tips and ideas on how to host a successful community event focused on your habitat.

If you are interested or planning on hosting an event please contact Ariel Hill-Davis for assistance.

Last week Vortex's Kevin Peterson, received the Outstanding Service Award from Kansas State University’s (KSU) Department of Grain Science and Industry. The award recognizes Kevin's work with KSU students, allowing them to have hands on experience and exposure with Vortex equipment. The work includes, an annual visit of Vortex's Mobile Display Unit (which we were fortunate enough to experience at our Technology Workshop in San Diego) and a student trip to Vortex's manufacturing facility. Kevin and Vortex's support of KSU's Department of Grain Science and Industry is an excellent example of community engagement and industry investment in the next generation. IMA-NA's Associate Members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience past their role in our industry. IMA-NA is always happy to recognize all our members' contributions to their communities and the world around them.